Inspired to learn more about your roots? Here’s how to start your journey into family history.

 Step 1: Start at home

• Gather what you already have: Old photographs, family Bibles, letters, birth/marriage records, military records, obituaries, quilts, or heirlooms.
• Digitize important documents for safekeeping.

Step 2: Talk to your elders

• Interview your oldest living relatives—parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or family friends.
• Ask about names, places, traditions, and stories passed down.
• Record conversations using your phone or a voice recorder for future reference.

 Step 3: Visit your local library

• Get a library card—most libraries offer free access to genealogy databases.
• Use resources like census records, city directories, and historical newspapers.

Step 4: Use free online resources

• Create a free account at FamilySearch.org for access to a vast collection of genealogical records.
• Explore databases like:
  • Ancestry.com (some records free, others require a subscription)
  • FindAGrave.com (cemetery records and family connections)
  • African American Genealogy groups on Facebook and online forums.

 Step 5: Join a genealogy research group

• Learn methods, strategies, and documentation tips from experienced researchers.
• Connect with local or national genealogy societies for African American family research.

 Step 6: Be patient – it’s a journey, not a destination

• Researching family history is not a weekend project—it unfolds over time.
• Each new discovery leads to more relatives, more stories, and more history to uncover.